Gravette councils OKs drainage project

Tim DeWitt, Street and Utililties Director for the City of Gravette, stands at the intersection in Gravette where work will begin soon to help correct a storm water drainage problem.

Tim DeWitt, Street and Utililties Director for the City of Gravette, stands at the intersection in Gravette where work will begin soon to help correct a storm water drainage problem.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

— Work will begin soon to correct a storm water drainage problem in Gravette, at the intersection of Second Avenue and El Paso Street SW.

A Rogers firm, Construmarr, was recently awarded the low bid to improve the site through widening the intersection, installation of four drainage pipes 36 inches in diameter under El Paso, creation of a rip rap drainage area and replacing north and south drainage headwalls on Second Avenue.

Relocating fiber optic and gas lines may be required before construction can begin.

A grant from Walmart is financing the project which is phase one of drainage improvements proposed for the future.

The City Council Thursday night gave the final go-ahead to Sammy May, representative of Morrison-Shipley engineers who have designed the project.

Join Hazmat Group

In other action, at the last meeting of 2012, the Council approved a resolution to join the interlocal hazardous response services in Benton County. A cost of 38 cents per capitais expected to be the cost to the city. Gravette will be covered by the Bella Vista team.

◊Declared a 2001 Dodge Durango surplus for possible sale.

◊Approved an ordinance, with emergency clause, to vacate a platted alley between 901 First Ave. S.W. and 904 Second Ave. S.W. The alley will be split and land will revert to the adjoining property owners. Fineline Development LLC, which is planning a small strip mall along Arkansas Highway59 frontage (First Ave.) will erect a six-foot-tall privacy fence at the rear of their property.

◊Approved an ordinance amending Ordinance 12-16 to correct descriptions of land between Gravette and Hiwasse previously annexed into the city.

◊Approved an ordinance adopting the 2011 Arkansas Energy Code which sets requirements for construction projects. Dec. 31 was the deadline to adopt the ordinance required by the state.

◊Approved the 2013official city holiday calendar which includes New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The meeting was the final one for Council members John Rambadt and Tina Crose. Each spoke briefly. Mayor Byron Warren then expressed appreciation for each of the retiring members’ service to the city.

News, Pages 3 on 01/02/2013